New Zealand Racing Tips for New Year's Day, January 1st 2026

We have expert betting tips for the New Zealand racing cards this New Year’s Day at Ellerslie and Riverton, including group racing.

There is always great value at the NZ horse racing meetings, and we have our best bets across the two cards.

Ellerslie racing tips

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Race 1. (10:35) Myracehorse BM75 (1400m)

#4 – Monday Melody @ $10.00

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Monday Melody hasn’t been an easy runner for punters to follow consistently, but the five-year-old gets a good chance to win on Thursday.

The O’Sullivan-Scott-trained son of Snitzel owns two wins and eight placings from 19 starts, and he owns two placings from two fresh up starts.

It’s not a tough BM75 field, so he should be right in the mix.

Stake: 1 Unit

Race 2. (11:10) Tab BM65 (1200m)

#13 – Drops of God @ $3.50

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Drops of God couldn’t have been more impressive when winning on debut at Te Aroha, scoring by 5.5 lengths eased down.

The Te Akau-raced three-year-old filly meets a much harder field at Ellerslie, but she could have more ability than most.

Barrier four is ideal, so she will settle handy and give punters a good sight.

Stake: 2 Units

Race 3. (11:45) Skycity Eclipse Stakes (1200m)

#1 – Harvey Wallbanger @ $2.90

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It might be a stakes race, but Harvey Wallbanger is our best bet of the day in New Zealand.

The two-year-old son of Home Affairs won well on debut before bombing the start last time out, but he still managed to run past most of the field.

It was an incredible effort to place behind the Karaka Millions favourite, and if he jumps on terms with them, he could rocket away.

Stake: 5 Units

Race 9. (15:14) Rich Hill Mile (1600m)

#9 – She’s a Dealer @ $4.20

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She’s a Deeler showed good form in Australia before coming back to New Zealand and winning her last two races.

The four-year-old mare ran second at Randwick before finishing fifth at Group 1 level in Queensland and having that experience puts her on top.

We think she is more mature than the likes of Smart Love, so take the value odds in a race that only recently lost its Group 1 status.

Stake: 2 Units

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Riverton racing tips

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Race 2. (11:25) Barrett AG Maiden (1600m)

#10 – Ripa Time @ $2.00

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Short odds are available for Ripa Time in the opening two races, and we think she’ll line up in this race.

The three-year-old filly showed good pace earlier this prep when running second at Ascot, and she has been racing in tricky races, including a stakes race last start.

That form should be good enough to break maidens.

Stake: 2.5 Units

Race 3. (12:00) Pankhurst Sawmilling Handicap (1600m)

#3 – Buoyant @ $3.40

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Consistent form is with Buoyant, who didn’t fire last time out, but that followed good efforts in defeat.

The seven-year-old is an eight-time winner, so the class is there, and it’s only a matter of time before he gets back to winning form.

Getting 54kg should be enough to take him close.

Stake: 1.5 Units

Race 4. (12:40) Riverton Racing Club Memorial Cup (1200m)

#9 – Pure Glam @ $2.80

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Money has come for Pure Glam on debut, and when Kelvin Tyler-trained runners are supported, it pays to take notice.

The three-year-old filly by Pure Champion opened at $3.70 before shortening to $2.80, and she could keep firming with bookmakers.

Carrying 54kg makes life easier, so follow the money trail.

Stake: 1 Unit

Race 5. (13:18) Pureotagocherries BM65 (1200m)

#3 – Secret Beau @ $3.90

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Secret Beau broke maidens at Riccarton with a 4.5-length win, which followed two placings at Pakenham in Australia.

Australian form always holds up well in New Zealand, and that’s evident by his effortless victory on the synthetic surface last start.

We expect him to be competitive despite the rise in class.

Stake: 2 Units

Editor In Chief

Daryl Curnow

After graduating from the University of Auckland (BA - English), Daryl was thrown into the world of sports and horse racing journalism.

Having worked as a racing journalist for two years, he decided to move into the online world of horse racing and sports writing. After years of honing his craft, Daryl became a professional punter in 2009 - with a focus on horse racing, NRL, AFL, NBA, Rugby, NFL, and US college sports.

Daryl's tips have been featured on various websites around the world before joining the GoBet team. When he's not working, Daryl tries to avoid making bogeys on the golf course.